Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Climate protection
• Resource saving
• Social fairness
• Circular economy
• Decarbonisation
• Sustainable products
• Supply chain transparency
• Human rights
• Employee well-being
• Diversity & Inclusion

Environmental Achievements

• Developed a completely circular T-shirt (PROcircular) made from 60% recycled cotton and 40% recycled polyester.
• Introduced fluorine-free foam fire extinguishers.
• Introduced a sustainable reusable mop cover (MicroSicuro CR/A R) made with 76% recycled polyester.
• Increased the number of recycled and repaired dispensers to 41,908.
• Replaced existing boiler with a CHP plant in Olching laundry, minimizing energy consumption.
• Continuously installing solar power plants on buildings and facilities.
• Using energy-saving water treatment processes in laundries.
• Increased use of recycled material in soap bottles.

Social Achievements

• Launched coffee break webinars to update employees on sustainability initiatives.
• Supported the Digital Female Leader Award (DLFA).
• Provided further training hours of 23,896.
• Reduced work-related accidents by 16 compared to 2021.
• Achieved EcoVadis gold rating, ranking among the top 5% of companies in the industry.

Governance Achievements

• Implemented a Group-wide scoring system (Enkelfähig) to evaluate and quantify the sustainability of all products.
• Actively addressing policy requirements, such as the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG).
• Improved transparency and reliability of Scope 3 emission accounting process using Normative carbon accounting engine.
• 11,841 employees completed compliance training.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Decarbonisation of the supply chain (Scope 3 emissions).
• Accurate data collection from suppliers for Scope 3 emissions.
• Cyber-attack in 2022 resulting in temporary limited data visibility.

Mitigation Strategies

• Developed an ambitious climate strategy with 19 initiatives to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030.
• Implemented a detailed climate strategy focusing on avoiding, reducing, substituting, and offsetting emissions.
• Improved Scope 3 emission accounting process using Normative.
• Working with suppliers on specific reduction measures.
• Systems and data availability restored during the year.

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: 14% of 1248 suppliers assessed by EcoVadis (2022)

Responsible Procurement

• EcoVadis assessment of suppliers; Code of Conduct (CoC) signed by 163 suppliers (Workwear division).

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes (e.g., EU standards on PFAS).

Opportunities

• Development of climate-negative soap dispenser; development of energy-efficient products.

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI (without certification)

Certifications: EcoVadis Gold

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• PROcircular T-shirt
• Fluorine-free foam fire extinguishers
• Sustainable reusable mop cover
• Climate-negative soap dispenser (prototype)

Awards & Recognition

• EcoVadis Gold rating

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• GHG emissions
• Fleet mobility
• Energy
• Logistics & transport
• Pollution
• Water
• Biodiversity
• Circular economy
• Resource efficiency
• Waste management
• Human rights

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced gas consumption by 13.5 kWh per washed tonne in Hamburg laundry (Germany)
• Reduced electricity consumption by 22.6 kWh per washed tonne in Olching laundry (Germany) over three years
• Annual CO2 emissions reductions of 30 tonnes in Glattbrugg (Switzerland) and 305 tonnes in Čakovec (Croatia) due to photovoltaics
• Reduced freshwater use per washed tonne by approximately a quarter since 2020 in Glattbrugg laundry (Switzerland)
• Annual carbon emissions reductions of 3,636 tonnes due to green energy purchase
• Refurbishing and reusing dispensers through Act Circular centres
• 100% of standard mats made from recycled polyester
• All 500ml bottles switched to recycled material in 2024, reducing virgin plastic use by over 160 tonnes annually
• Gas consumption reduced by 74% and water consumption dropped by 8.5% in Charleroi laundry (Belgium) due to mat-washing process optimization
• Installation of a new photovoltaic system in Glattbrugg (Switzerland) generating 150,000 kWh annually and reducing emissions by 30 tonnes
• Installation of a photovoltaic system in Čakovec (Croatia) reducing emissions by 305 tonnes annually
• Reduced electricity consumption per washed tonne by about 8% in Čakovec (Croatia)
• Reduced carbon emissions by 30.7 tonnes in Vienna (Austria) due to new photovoltaic system
• Reduced heating emissions by 56.5% in Vienna (Austria) by switching from gas to district heating
• Installation of 1,280 photovoltaic panels at Den Bosch laundry (Netherlands), reducing electricity costs by nearly one-third
• Shift towards steamless operations at Den Bosch laundry (Netherlands), aiming for 80% reduction in steam usage
• Water reuse system at Den Bosch laundry (Netherlands)

Social Achievements

• Act Circular centres offer jobs for staff with age- or health-related limitations
• Talent Programme aims to help employees gain better career prospects
• Encouraging customers to offer free pads and tampons in public washrooms to help fight menstrual poverty
• Donation of 10,000 menstrual products to the Armoedefonds (Dutch Poverty Foundation)
• Donation of 10,000 litres of clean water to the Made Blue Foundation for every rented sensor water tap
• Collaboration with JINC to assist socio-economically disadvantaged children
• Donation of a pack of sanitary pads for every Combi Dispenser of tampons and pads purchased in Belgium
• Partnership with Werkhuizen MIN to prepare cotton towel fabric samples, supporting people with barriers to employment
• Workwear Talent Programme fostering employee development and cross-functional collaboration
• Pilot project in Netherlands revealing potential for employee development, particularly for blue-collar workforce
• Employment of 15 people with disabilities at CWS Workwear IP Ptuj (Slovenia)

Governance Achievements

• Met all legal reporting requirements such as CSRD and CSDDD (parent company Haniel)

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Supply chain disruptions (implied)
• Difficulty in recycling mats due to material composition
• Minimum order intake of 100 tonnes for most plastic treatment companies
• Culture of preferring new items over refurbished ones
• Limited use of recycled fabrics in workwear due to regulations and standards

Mitigation Strategies

• Developed alternative sourcing strategies (implied)
• Established Act Circular centres for refurbishing and recycling dispensers
• Found recycling option for small-scale plastic items
• Educating customers on the sustainability of refurbished dispensers
• Collaboration with Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) and customers to develop circular economy concepts for textiles
• Partnership with Rester Oy for textile recycling

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Every two years for high-risk countries; regular on-site audits

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier Code of Conduct
• Fairtrade Supported Cotton Programme (ended in 2023), transitioning to Cotton made in Africa (CmiA)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Not disclosed

Transition Risks

• Not disclosed

Opportunities

• Not disclosed

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI Standards 2021, CSRD, EU Taxonomy (parent company)

Certifications: EcoVadis Silver Rating (CWS Group)

Third-party Assurance: Not disclosed

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Not disclosed

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Mats made of 100% recycled PET bottles; soaps free of microplastics and biodegradable; paper from environmentally sound sources or recycled paper; Fairtrade cotton workwear

Awards & Recognition

• EcoVadis Gold Standard (CWS Workwear Germany)
• 2023 Fairness Prize (CWS Workwear Germany)